Keralam: 32-year-old arrested for arson near Kochi synagogue

In Kerala, a 32-year-old man has been arrested for setting fire to a nursery near a synagogue in Kochi. He allegedly recorded the incident on his mobile phone before fleeing the spot. The accused, Evan B. Paul, is a native of Ernakulam and is currently in police custody. According to the police, initial probe has revealed suspicious online communications, alleged links with suspected foreign-based individuals and possible instructions from an unidentified handler referred to as boss. Police have not ruled out a terror angle as well. Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has also called it a very serious issue, saying that agencies were leaving no stone unturned to get to the root of the issue. Yeah, it is a very serious issue from the very beginning our intelligence agencies and the police is very keenly watching it. Already the culprit has been seized and he is under interrogation. I think that national agencies are also in the picture and will let us see what already the interrogation is going on. So let us wait for some time. Kochi City Deputy Commissioner of Police Arjun K. Pavitharan has also confirmed that the probe has brought to light several suspicious elements and that national agencies, including the National Investigation Agency, are involved in the ongoing probe. 12th of October, early morning, and post-incident, we have identified the accused. He has been arrested and his house has been searched and his devices have been seized. That has been sent for forensic examination and the accused has been remanded into judicial custody.